Former Perth Wildcat and Australian basketball star Rick Longley has died.
Longley was a member of the first Wildcats squad in the team’s debut season in 1982, with the 208cm centre playing eight NBL games after coming out of retirement at 40 to help the new club.
He averaged 4.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game as well as representing Australia on a number of occasions.
His son Luc Longley went on to win three NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls, playing alongside all-time great Michael Jordan, after a two-game Wildcats cameo.
Longley’s other son Griffin Longley also played three games for Perth.
‘Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Longley family after the passing of inaugural Perth Wildcats centre Richard ‘Rick’ Longley,’ the Wildcats said in a statement.
The NBL also said in a statement it ‘sends its deepest condolences to the Longley family during this difficult time’.
NBL club the Sydney Kings, which Luc Longley part owns, also put out a statement.
‘Hoops Capital (ownership group) sends its deepest condolences to the Longley family during this difficult time,’ the Kings said.
Basketball Australia said they were ‘saddened to learn of the passing of Richard Longley’.
‘Rick made many contributions to the game in Australia – as a pioneering player domestically and as a representative for WA and Australia,’ the association tweeted.
‘We send our condolences to the Longley family during this difficult time. Vale Richard Longley.
More to come
